Photograph:
Pipistrel Alpha Trainer 24-8304 (c/n 494AT912LSA) at Temora, NSW in March 2013 (David Eyre)
Country of origin:
Slovenia
Description:
Two-seat training monoplane
Power Plant:
One 60 kw (80 hp) Rotax 912 UL four-cylinder horizontally-opposed liquid-and-air-cooled engine
Specifications:
- Wingspan: 10.05 m (34 ft 6 in)
- Length: 6.5 m (21 ft 4 in)
- Height: 2.05 m (6 ft 9 in)
- Wing area: 9.29 m² (100 sq ft)
- Max speed [VNE]: 250 km/h (155 mph)
- Max speed: 201 km/h (125 mph)
- Stalling speed no flaps: 80 km/h (50 mph)
- Stalling speed full flaps: 68 km/h (42 mph)
- Range at cruising speed excluding reserve: 722 km (449 miles)
- Take-off ground roll: 140 m (459 ft)
- Take-off over 15 m (50 ft) obstruction: 225 m (738 ft)
- Landing distance over 15 m (50 ft) obstruction: 460 m (1,510 ft)
- Absolute ceiling: 5,500 m (18,000 ft)
- Endurance with 30 min reserve: 4.1 hrs
- Empty weight: 279 kg (615 lb)
- Payload with full fuel: 230 kg (507 lb)
- Max baggage allowance: 25 kg 25 kg (55 lb)
- Loaded weight: 550 kg (1,212 lb)
History:
Similar in appearance to the Virus from the same company, the Alpha Trainer was designed to comply with American Light Sport Aircraft Rules. It has a cantilever wing, seats two side-by-side and is fitted with a 60 kw (80 hp) Rotax 912UL engine. It was first shown to the public in April 2012 at the annual Friedrichshafen aviation event in Germany, at which orders for twelve aircraft were taken. It is of composite construction with a tricycle undercarriage and has been specifically designed for the pilot training role. It has a traditional cockpit with an analogue instrument package rather than a glass cockpit. A ballistic parachute is a standard fitment. Designed for the training role, the build parameters were economy of purchase, operation and fuel consumption. It is said to use 9.5 litres (2.08 Imp gals) per hour in this role.
Built in Slovenia, its design is based on the existing Virus SW with a number of enhancements for the training role. One of the changes made to the Virus design was an all composite undercarriage and this included heavy duty main wheels and brakes. The wheel pants may be easily removed and the seats have extra-heavy-duty fabrics. Engine is the Rotax 912 driving a 1.57 m (62 in) wooden fixed pitch propeller designed in house, using CAC machines, and protected by a composite coating, including the leading edges.
The fuel tank is located in the fuselage and has a capacity of 55 litres (12 Imp gals). The aircraft has a new wing design based on the Virus SW with some redesign of the wings and flaperons, with 25 degrees of flap travel. After three months of production ten examples had been delivered, first deliveries being to the United States, Peru, New Zealand, France and Australia, the latter being registered under RAA Rules. First registered in New Zealand became ZK-JAT (c/n 448) for Seaside Flying Ltd of Greymouth in November 2012.